Child Support Enforcement Agency Frequently Asked Questions

• Summit County CSEA has several ways parents can make their child support payment without traveling to our office in person! 
• Online from a checking or savings account or by debit or credit card, free of charge, by visiting https://oh.smartchildsupport.com.
• By phone with a debit or credit card by calling (888)-965-2676.
• By mail at Ohio Child Support Payment Central, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2372.
• At any MoneyGram location using code 14674 and including your SETS case number and court or administrative order number.  There is a fee for using this service.  MoneyGram locations found by visiting www.moneygram.com.
• At any child support enforcement agency in the state if they accept payments.  A list of agencies accepting payments can be found by visiting http://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/employers/CSPC_Overview.stm.
• Accepted credit/debit cards are Discover, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club International, and JCB. 
• Accepted alternate payment options include Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and WeChat Pay.
• Minimum payment of $1.00 required for credit/debit card and other alternate forms of payment.

Beginning this week, entrance to the Ohio Building where CSEA is located will be blocked from Main Street due to downtown construction.  It is recommended that visitors use the High Street building entrance either on the 4th floor of the Summit County parking deck or the level M1 in the  basement of the parking deck until further notice.

Additional monies may be added to the monthly obligation. In addition, further Enforcement techniques may be initiated.

Referral to the CSEA’s Legal Division may be made for possible court action. Contact your Child Support Specialist for action.

CSEA has two options: Direct Deposit and smiONE Visa Debit Card.

Contact the Child Support Specialist assigned to your case, which will investigate the problem with the income source and contact you with resolution.

Contact the CSEA Phone Bank at (330) 643-2765 or toll free in Ohio (800) 726-2765.

This is your child support order and you must remain an active participant. It is your responsibility to notify CSEA of certain changes.

It is your responsibility to ensure your child support obligation is paid in full each month. You must provide CSEA with a current income source. If no income source is available, you must remit payments on your own. CSEA offers several options for making support payments. Do not make direct payments to the Obligee because, by law, direct payments are considered a gift.

Depending on the nature of your situation, the following information may be needed in addition to your SETS case number:

• Name and address of the parent who is obligated to pay support, as well as the parent who is receiving the support payments.
• Copies of the child's birth certificate(s).
• The names and addresses of the obligor's current or recent employer(s) or sources of income.
• The names and addresses of the obligor's friends and relatives with whom the obligor may have contact.
• Information about the income and other assets of the obligor, including, but not limited to, copies of pay stubs, tax returns, bank accounts, investments, property holdings, and professional licenses.
• If paternity is an issue, the names and addresses of all presumed and alleged fathers.
• Copies of relevant court orders.
• Social Security numbers of the parties.
• Any other information with which you would like to provide CSEA.

Please refer to the Important Contact Information sheet to direct you to the appropriate area to meet your specific need. If you are unable to identify the appropriate area to meet your need, contact the CSEA Phone Bank at (330) 643-2765 or toll free in Ohio (800) 726-2765.

Yes. CSEA provides services to custodial (and non-custodial) parents regardless of gender.

A CSEA Support Officer will review the parties’ case and circumstances to determine if a review can be completed. Orders must meet specific criteria to qualify for the review process. CSEA is unable to guarantee the outcomes as the order could increase, decrease, or remain the same.

In most cases, retaining private counsel is not necessary. However, situations could arise in which you may want to seek legal advice. CSEA cannot recommend an attorney. The Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys who attend CSEA hearings cannot act as private counsel for CSEA clients as they represent the State of Ohio and therefore no attorney-client relationship exists

First, read your child support order to verify who is supposed to carry medical insurance for the child(ren). If the other party is ordered to carry insurance, please review the Medical Insurance information sheet and contact the CSEA.

Physical custody does not affect your child support order. CSEA cannot assist either party with custody or visitation issues, parties should retain private counsel.

CSEA is unable to guarantee frequency of payments. If deductions are being received from an employer, frequency of payments will depend on the Obligor’s pay periods.